A new event promoting the bicycle as a healthy and convenient mode of transportation for shopping trips is getting a kick-start from a government-funded Job Creation Partnership.

HUB Cycling, the organizers of Vancouver’s ‘Bike to Shop Day,’ will receive more than $31,000 from the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation to provide work experience to two people to work with the team in planning and marketing the event.

‘Bike to Shop Day’ is HUB’s first annual event to promote the use of bicycles as transportation for shopping trips. HUB organizes the event with the help of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, the Hastings Crossing Business Improvement Association, the Gastown Business Improvement Association, the City of Vancouver and SPUD (Sustainable Produce Urban Delivery) Online Grocery.

Throughout the 18-week project, participants  have been gaining valuable work skills to take with them into their search for employment. That includes communications and marketing, website maintenance, volunteer recruitment, event planning, business outreach, permit acquisition as well as report composition when they administer post-event surveys. Working under experienced supervisors, participants have gained valuable experience, not to mention the networking opportunities in Vancouver the project will bring. One of the participants has already found full-time employment.

HUB Cycling is a not-for-profit organization created to raise awareness and encourage the use of bicycles as an alternative to private car ownership in Vancouver. Their mission is to get more people cycling more often through actions, advocacy and events like Bike to Shop Day.

Funding for the project is provided through the Job Creation Partnership stream of the Community and Employer Partnerships program.

Job Creation Partnerships are part of the Employment Program of British Columbia’s Community and Employer Partnerships, which fund projects that increase employability and share labour market information.

The Community and Employer Partnerships program is featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint and provides more support to people who are struggling to gain a foothold in the job market. It helps build stronger partnerships with industry and labour to connect British Columbians with classroom and on-the-job training, while making it easier for employers to hire the skilled workers they need – when and where they need them.

To date, more than 1,000 job seekers have benefited from work experience and more than 200 projects have been funded throughout the province.

Quotes:

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation –

“This is a great way to support two people in their job search by having them work under experienced supervisors to gain the skills they need in event planning and marketing to find full-time employment in that field. I’m proud we are able to provide funding to HUB Cycling to help them host this event and promote cycling in Vancouver.”

Sam Sullivan, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek –

“Bike to Shop Day is going to be a great event that encourages people to cycle to do their shopping rather than driving. The participants in this Job Creation Partnership are going to leave with valuable experience and business contacts that will help them succeed in their future careers.”

Mathieu Beaudoin, project participant –

“The Job Creation Partnership with HUB Cycling has been an amazing opportunity to refine my management skills, get good work experience in Vancouver and have a better understanding of the non-profit sector. That is exactly what I was missing for the next step in my career. On top of being part of HUB’s experienced team, I also get to encourage more people to bike: more cycling means healthier, happier, more connected communities. I couldn't ask for a better setting to grow as a worker.”

Alyshia Burak, Bike to Shop Day manager –

“HUB Cycling is extremely grateful for the support of the Job Creation Partnership program. It has allowed us to run our first ever Bike to Shop Day and encourage people to use healthy and sustainable transportation to shop at their favourite local stores. This exciting event would not have been possible without the support of the participants in this program, who have shown amazing growth and skill development while planning and organizing Bike to Shop Day."

Quick Facts:

• Local WorkBC Employment Services Centres play a lead role in connecting eligible job seekers to Job Creation Partnership and Project Based Labour Market Training opportunities in their communities. Once the right match of client to project has been found, the effort of the WorkBC Centre continues by providing financial supports and services to ensure success.
• In 2016-17, the ministry has committed to investing $331 million in employment and labour market programs under the Employment Program of BC.
• The Employment Program of BC is funded by the Province of British Columbia as well as the Government of Canada through the Labour Market Development Agreement.
• Funding supports 84 WorkBC Employment Services Centres throughout the province and the four components of the Community and Employer Partnerships fund:
  • Job Creation Partnerships
  • Labour Market Partnerships
  • Project-Based Labour Market Training
  • Research and Innovation

Who is eligible for Community and Employer Partnerships funding?

• Businesses
• Non-profit organizations
• Crown corporations
• Municipalities, agencies or territorial governments
• Bands/tribal councils
• Public health and educational institutions

Learn More:

For more information on Community and Employer Partnerships: www.workbc.ca/CEP

Find a local WorkBC Employment Services Centre: www.workbccentres.ca

Learn more about the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation: www.gov.bc.ca/sdsi

For more information on B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: www.workbc.ca/skills

To find out more about the BC Jobs Plan: www.engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/